“Can I help?” Atlas asked.
“Nope, I’m good. It’s your time off from working. Show our Atlas around, Lind.”
After Hugh walked off, Atlas put the cat down and surprised me by taking my hand in his and threading our fingers together. He led the way as if he’d been there countless times. His hands were softer and smaller than mine. I liked them against my skin.
I showed him the areas where I had to restore some of the wooden floors, the crown molding in the main bedroom, and Iadded chair molding in all the rooms of the house, maintaining the traditional vibe of the old home.
We stopped in front of the guest bedroom. “You can have this room,” I said. “You’ll sleep with us tonight, but you can dump your things in here.”
Atlas leaned against the doorjamb and looked up at me, now holding both of my hands. “Can I be blunt?”
“By all means.”
“You’re way too talented for sales. VP or not. Money or not. This house and your work are absolutely stunning.”
I smiled sadly. “Yeah, well… Unfortunately, we’re not all destined for the things we want in life.”
“Did youhaveto work for Cross Corp?”
“Yes, I did,” I admitted, feeling a bit vulnerable as a flicker of grief hit me. “My parents died when I was fifteen. Uncle Hanley and Aunt Liz took me in and raised me as one of their own. Sure, they loved me in their own way, but they’re not the most affectionate. Still, they didn’t have to take care of me either. And Hugh’s sister, Chloe, is amazing. So, I wanted to give back, you know?”
Atlas nodded thoughtfully as he stared at the bedroom. It was bright green, and the wooden trim was stained a walnut color. Like all the other rooms, this one had its own fireplace. “I get that. I’m sorry about your parents.”
“Thanks.” I played with his fingers and couldn’t stop looking at him. I wanted to tell him about Hugh, but it was too early for that. Eventually, I hoped Atlas would be someone I could confide in. No one knew my feelings about Hugh. And while I resigned to the fact that I’d never have him, it’d be nice to have a person to talk to about it. “Let’s head down to dinner.”
After our meal, we opened up the container full of baklava. As Atlas served us, Hugh yanked him onto his lap, and I moved to sit in Atlas’s seat so I could be closer.
“Dinner was delicious, handsome,” Atlas said.
“Thank you.”
I took a bite of the delicate, sticky pastry, which melted in my mouth. “Wow, this is delicious, Atlas.”
“Thanks.”
When I set it down and before I could wipe my hand off on the napkin, he grabbed it and sucked the honey off my thumb. My cock went from zero to a hundred in an instant.
“It tastes even better on your fingers,” he said before grabbing Hugh’s hand, too, and doing the same thing. “Yum.”
Hugh pressed his nose into Atlas’s throat, kissing him, and I did the same on the other side. He closed his eyes, and IsworeI heard him purr.
“We have a fun evening planned,” Hugh explained. “But first, Linden and I got you a gift.”
Atlas perked up and clapped. “A gift? I love gifts, especially surprise ones. But you don’t have to buy me anything.”
“We want to,” I said. “You’re our princess, and princesses deserve all sorts of gifts.”
“Indeed.”
Hugh lifted Atlas as he stood and dropped him into my lap before he padded off to get Atlas’s present. When he returned, he handed the wrapped box in teal and white to Atlas, who quickly opened it to find expensive lace panties in assorted colors, a black garter belt with matching stockings, and a lacy black bra. They were all intended for men, not women. We’d purchased them online from a specialty store that sold men’s lingerie. We enjoyed the feminine side, especially Hugh, but we wanted a man, not a woman.
“Oh my god, they’re gorge! Love them. Thank you, thank you!”
“You’re welcome,” I said.
He turned around to give me a quick kiss before leaning toward Hugh and kissing him, too.
“Do you want me to put them on now?”
